Orthodontics

Most treatments last between 1.5 and 2.5 years, although in special cases the duration may vary significantly. It depends on the patient’s age, genetic factors, the nature of the problem, and its severity. It’s important to emphasize that after the active treatment phase, a nighttime removable or fixed internal retainer must be worn for an extended period.

It’s completely normal to feel pressure or tightness when chewing or biting down—especially after the braces are first applied or during regular adjustments. This sensation is most intense at the beginning of treatment and typically lasts for about 3 to 7 days. During this period, chewing harder foods may be uncomfortable.

While we always strive to treat our patients without removing teeth, there are cases where extraction is recommended to achieve the best possible outcome. This typically occurs when the teeth, once aligned, would not fit properly within the jaw—meaning there’s a significant mismatch between tooth size and jaw size. In such cases, we take special care to ensure that the health of the bite and the final aesthetic result are not compromised. For space creation, removing a premolar is usually the most practical solution.

Wisdom teeth often cause issues for patients—even for those not planning orthodontic treatment. They frequently fail to erupt properly, and it’s not uncommon for them to grow in a nearly horizontal position, exerting pressure on neighboring teeth. For this reason, their removal is often recommended, though not always necessary by default. In fact, there are cases where wisdom teeth can be quite useful—for example, when replacing a missing molar, a wisdom tooth can be guided into the vacant space.

Tooth movement during orthodontic treatment involves gradual remodeling of the jawbone, making the process relatively time-consuming. After the braces are removed, teeth tend to shift back toward their original positions. To prevent this relapse, we provide retention appliances for our patients. These can be fixed—typically a thin wire bonded to the inner surface of the teeth, which patients quickly get used to. We also use removable retainers, usually clear trays that fit snugly over the teeth. These removable devices only need to be worn at night. We invite our patients for follow-up appointments to monitor the stability of the achieved results.